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State Arts Action Network

The Joining Force for Statewide Arts Advocacy Organizations

The State Arts Action Network (SAAN) currently includes 53 members from 42 states, including the District of Columbia. Members independently lead their state’s arts policy initiatives and gather together to share best practices and advise Americans for the Arts’ State & Local Government Affairs team on key policy initiatives. The network meets three times each year: at Arts Advocacy Day, at the Americans for the Arts Annual Convention, and once again in October. This network, like all of our networks, is crucial in connecting Americans for the Arts with state and local constituents.

The State Arts Action Network was formed on March 29, 2004, when Americans for the Arts announced that two previously independent national arts organizations, the State Arts Advocacy League of America and the National Community Arts Network, had ratified an agreement to become part of Americans for the Arts.

Shortly thereafter, in our strategic plan, Americans for the Arts identified the need for a statewide advocacy organization and a statewide service organization in every state. This goal is something that Americans for the Arts and SAAN continually work toward, involving other strategic partners and alliances. In 2009, for example, the members of the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education joined the SAAN as affiliate members.

Interested in learning more or becoming part of SAAN? Contact us!

News

Arts North Carolina launched a new legislative campaign in early 2018 that aims to increase state arts grants by nearly 60%, from $6.3 million to $10 million; and collaborated on the creation of the Caucus for the Arts and Arts Education in the NC House of Representatives.

The state’s final approved budget includes a record funding level of $22.7 million for the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC). In his FY 2019 budget proposal, Governor Larry Hogan recommended an increase of $21.7 million for the arts.

Called "Tennessee: State of the Arts," the program is an unprecedented public-private partnership to provide school districts statewide the opportunity to apply for funding to improve or develop their music education programs for the 2018-19 school year.

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Who We Are

Americans for the Arts serves, advances, and leads the network of organizations and individuals who cultivate, promote, sustain, and support the arts in America. Founded in 1960, Americans for the Arts is the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education.